Jobs at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Researcher in the Energy Centre within the Smart Places cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for supporting energy economic modelling research area within the CSIR Energy Centre. This research area will gather, create and provide objective information and analysis on energy economics.
• This will include developing economic models for different energy sources and systems. The incumbent also support the translation of CSIR energy-related research into direct and tangible recommendations for South African industries on how they should position themselves in the energy value chain, and for South African policymakers on how to support South African energy industries and plan and execute a just energy transition. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Assist in forming the research agenda/plan for the Just Energy Transition (JET) in the Energy Centre; 
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research in the energy sector;Provide thought-leadership on possible strategy interventions for growing the South African energy industry, specifically in the renewable energy domain; 
• Advise both internal and external (public and private) industries on the best positioning in the energy value chain localization;
• Compile technical reports for clients in the energy sector;   
• Prepare and deliver presentations to communicate results of studies; 
• Responsible for financial and economic modelling for the energy sector (Techno-economics development); 
• Developing economic models to determine job creation, economic growth and supporting benefits of low-carbon energy technologies; 
• Establish and maintain relationships/partnership with other leaders locally and globally; 
• Source and manage contract research and development and ensure adherence to schedule and budget; 
• Support CSIR business development through identifying energy industry services for the research group; 
• Equip small, medium and micro enterprises with the relevant skills and knowledge, technology know-how and necessary resources to participate in the demanding energy sector, as well as encourage innovation and empower innovators to contribute to the country¿s economic development through the energy sector.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in energy economics, economics, science or engineering with at least six years working experience in the energy sector, of which three years should be in the green economy sector or energy industry development support or energy transition domain or energy-related projects in biogas, solar PV, wind, green hydrogen etc.
• A Masters degree will be advantageous; 
• Experience in the South African renewable energy industry / renewable energy sources; 
• Experience in an economic modelling, energy utility, government, consulting, or economic analysis environment;
• Strong network in the public and private sector as links to the Green Economy/ Energy Industry/ Energy Transition contract R&D funding opportunities; 
• Ability to draft proposals, attract funding and lead project teams;
• Experience in Computable General Equilibrium  (CGE) or Social Accounting Matrices (SAM) modelling will be advantageous; 
• Experience in macro-economic impact analysis will be advantageous; 
• Experience with Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises will be advantageous.
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

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About the job: 

• The CSIR Energy Centre, within the Smart Places cluster, has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Researcher/Engineer to lead research, development, and innovation in hydrogen and Power-to-X technologies.
• The successful candidate will strengthen the Centre¿s capabilities in applied hydrogen research, techno-economic analysis, and strategic innovation to advance South Africas green hydrogen economy.
• The role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, engaging national and international partners, and supporting the country¿s clean energy transition through science and technology excellence. This position is based in Pretoria.

This position reports to Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

Research Leadership and Innovation

• Lead applied research and demonstration (RD&D) projects in green hydrogen, ammonia, and Power-to-X systems.
• Develop and implement techno-economic and policy models to support hydrogen integration into energy systems.
• Provide research direction on hydrogen and Power-to-X priorities across the Energy Centre.
• Publish technical reports, journal articles, and conference papers to advance thought leadership in the field.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory

• Provide strategic advisory services to public and private sector partners on hydrogen and clean energy transitions.
• Participate in national and regional working groups or expert panels on hydrogen and Power-to-X.
• Collaborate with government, industry, and international organisations to promote sustainable industrialisation.
• Mentor and train early-career researchers in hydrogen and renewable energy innovation.

Project and Business Development

• Manage contract research projects, ensuring delivery on scope, budget, and timelines.
• Prepare and submit research proposals to attract funding from public, private, and international clients.
• Build and maintain relationships with strategic partners, collaborators, and clients in the hydrogen ecosystem.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A degree in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering; mathematics; science; or economics with at least fifteen years experience in the energy sector, including five years in renewable energy project development, hydrogen technologies, or energy consulting.
• A masters or higher qualification in a relevant discipline would be added advantage.
• Proven leadership in techno-economic modelling, energy policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of energy transition strategies, green finance mechanisms, and public-private collaboration.
• Proficiency in advanced data analytics and modelling tools (e.g. Power BI, AWS Quicksight, TensorFlow, or similar).
• A strong professional network across the public and private sectors, with a track record in securing and managing contract R&D projects.
• Knowledge of the South African and African energy landscape is advantageous.
• All international qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Master's Studentship: Electronic Warfare in the Radar and Electronic Warfare Impact Area, within the Defence and Security Cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for undertaking original research and development in Electronic Warfare with the Artificial Intelligence in EW, Electronic Support/Attack, EW Modelling and Simulation/Signal Processing or any other EW related topics. This position is based in Pretoria. 

Research areas: 

• Electronic Warfare (EW) including
• Artificial Intelligence in EW
• Electronic Support
• Electronic Attack
• EW Modelling and Simulation
• EW Signal Processing
• And other EW related topics

Key responsibilities:

• Prepare a research proposal to be approved by both the CSIR and the university;
• Prepare a written literature overview of the current state-of-the-art relevant to the research topic;
• Perform original research to solve the open research problem(s) that the student identified in his/her proposal;
• Produce sufficient quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications based on the Master's research topic;
• Compile the Master's dissertation and defending the work successfully; and
• Contribute to extra project activities that may be outside the scope of the master research as per the needs of the research group. The amount of such work shall be limited to 20% of the total time.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• An Honours degree in electronic/computer engineering or a related/relevant field;
• Register for a Master's qualification within the South African university (to be agreed upon with the CSIR co-supervisor).
• Knowledge of the following will be an advantage: MATLAB, Julia, Python and/or C++.
• Knowledge of the following will be an advantage: Antennas, Radio Frequency (RF) systems, Electromagnetic Theory and Propagation.
• Knowledge of electronic hardware and software implementation.
• Knowledge and exposure in software development for experimentation and prototyping.
• Good understanding of the scientific method: design of experiments, running experiments, critical analysis of results, and dissemination of knowledge.
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and ability to interact efficiently with diverse teams of people.

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About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Senior Geotechnical Engineer in the Mining Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to assist in the derivation, planning and execution of strategies to improve rock related safety through application of existing rock engineering knowledge in open cast and underground, shallow and deep level mining operations. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a national stakeholder network to broaden and deepen mining opportunities;
• Engage stakeholders to assess mining-related challenges and potential opportunities;
• Apply partnerships with strategic stakeholders to promote RDI programmes;
• Participate in technical industry bodies (e.g., SAIMM, SANIRE);
• Investigate and involve industry in local manufacturing of evaluated technologies;
• Drive business growth in collaboration with the Principal Rock/Geotechnical Engineer;
• Maintain a balanced RDI project pipeline to deliver industry impact and financial sustainability;
• Identify and refer business development opportunities across CSIR clusters and divisions;
• Submit proposals for grant and private sector funding;
• Implement cost containment measures to avoid operating losses;
• Apply project management and business processes to convert business problems into technical solutions;
• Define program scope, objectives, deliverables, schedule, financial risk, resources, and integration;
• Ensure integrated project management across the portfolio;
• Develop and implement governance systems for rock engineering projects;
• Develop and manage HR and succession plans to build rock engineering skills;
• Grow rock engineering mining capability within the cluster;
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and engineers;
• Drive strategy addressing mining challenges and innovations.
• Apply scientific knowledge to solve problems using mining domain expertise (e.g., rock engineering, mining processes, mine value chain);
• Scan and apply cutting-edge technologies to solve mining and geophysics issues;
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions from proof of concept to commercial products;
• Translate mining business challenges into technical solutions;
• Technical Discipline Development;
• Contribute to the development of rock/geotechnical engineering through scientific problem-solving and synthesis;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to implement research and solutions;
• Disseminate technical knowledge via publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelors degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering, Mining Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, Geology, Physics or Applied Sciences;
• Eight years experience in underground or surface mining operations with one of the following commodities, gold, or platinum, as a rock engineer;
• During the above eight years experience, at least five years experience should be in: 
• Establishing and maintaining links with internal and external stakeholders and clients, as well as the research community; 
• Mining extraction processes (drill, blast & hauling); 
• Mining design software or numerical modelling related software;
• Rock engineering problem solving; 
• Setting rock engineering standards; 
• Design of rock engineering projects and reports.
• Industry Rock Engineering Certificate for hard rock tabular mines OR for Coal Mines;
• Must be registered with SANIRE or qualified to register with SANIRE.
• Knowledge of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA);
• Ability to lead innovation and technology adoption in the mining industry;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge; 
• Good interpersonal and team skills; 
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation; 
• Financial / Business acumen;
• Project management skills;
• Applied research skills;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

go to method of application »

About the job: 

• The CSIR has a vacancy for Geotechnical Engineer in the Mining Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible to plan and execute strategies to improve rock related safety through application of existing rock engineering knowledge in open cast and underground, shallow and deep level mining operations. The position is based in Pretoria.

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain a national stakeholder network to broaden and deepen rock engineering opportunities;
• Participate in technical industry bodies, particularly in rock engineering, e.g., SANIRE, SAIMM;
• Assist with business growth in collaboration with the Principal Rock/Geotechnical Engineer
• Manage a balanced Research, Development and Innovation projects pipeline/programme to deliver impact to the industry;
• Maintain awareness of business development opportunities for CSIR wide customer base, where relevant refer opportunities to relevant Clusters and Divisions;
• Submit proposals for grant and private sector funding;
• Implement cost containment measures to avoid operating losses;
• Apply project management and business processes to convert business problems into technical solutions;
• Define program scope, objectives, deliverables, schedule, financial risk, resources, and integration;
• Ensure integrated project management across the portfolio;
• Implement governance systems for rock engineering and mining projects;
• Assist with growing rock engineering mining capability within the cluster;
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers and engineers;
• Assist in deriving strategy addressing mining challenges and innovations;
• Apply scientific knowledge to solve problems using mining domain expertise (e.g., rock engineering, mining processes, mine value chain);
• Scan and apply cutting-edge technologies to solve mining and geophysics issues;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to develop solutions from proof of concept to commercial products;
• Translate mining business challenges into technical solutions;
• Contribute to the development of rock/geotechnical engineering through scientific problem-solving and synthesis;
• Work in multidisciplinary teams to implement research and solutions;
• Execute software coding to assist with the development of solutions;
• Disseminate technical knowledge via publications and conference presentations.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A bachelors degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering, Mining Engineering, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering, Geology, Physics or Applied Sciences;
• Four years experience in underground or surface mining operations with one or more commodities (Gold, coal or platinum) as a rock engineer or related position;
• Four years experiencing in the following: 
• Mining extraction processes (drill, blast & hauling) 
• Mining design software or numerical modelling related software;
• Rock engineering problem solving; 
• Setting rock engineering standards; 
• Design of rock engineering projects and reports.
• Industry Rock Engineering Certificate for hard rock tabular mines OR for Coal Mines;
• Must be registered with SANIRE or qualified to register with SANIRE;
• Knowledge of Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA);
• Ability to lead innovation and technology adoption in the mining industry;
• Ability to innovate and generate new knowledge; 
• Good interpersonal and team skills; 
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team;
• Problem-solving and solution-seeking orientation; 
• Financial / Business acumen;
• Project management skills;
• Applied research skills;
• Excellent English communication, presentation and writing skills, including the publication of technical outputs;
• All international qualifications require an evaluation report / certificate issued by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

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About the job:

• The CSIR has a vacancy for a Senior Electronics Engineer: Electro-Optics Systems Design and Development in the Optronic Sensor Systems Impact Area, within the Defence and Security cluster.
• The incumbent will be responsible for researching, design and developing electro optics systems and subsystems, providing input into the definition of fine mechanics and optics within the Optronic Systems Applications (OSA) Research Group, and contributing towards leading-edge technology and research. 
• This is based in Pretoria and will report to the Research Group Leader.

Key responsibilities:

• Design and development of for electro-optical systems;
• Conduct research and development of new electro-optical technologies.
• Interact with customers and successfully capture user requirements in the form of a URS document, interface control document, etc.
• Design and build concept demonstrators in a short time by making use of basic electronic components and/or development boards such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Jetson, STMicroelectronics, PIC, etc.;
• Research and perform trade-off studies for products or systems required by the management or client;
• Guide engineers in the field of electro-optics engineering to work as a team and deliver quality project outputs;
• Prepare PCB manufacturing data packs and source components;
• Assemble, integrate, and test the electro-optical systems and subsystems;
• Write acceptance test procedures;
• Conduct the system testing and field evaluations together with the customer and suppliers;
• Capture and process the test results and present the project outcome and recommendations to the client;
• Document research outcomes to the satisfaction of management and customers.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in electronic/mechatronics/electrical engineering, or related fields with at least five years’ experience in electronic circuit design and development, embedded software design and development, and control system design;
• A Honour’s degree in physics, mathematics or mechatronic engineering will be advantageous
• Excellent working knowledge and understanding of System Engineering process and design review process;
• Excellent working knowledge of electronic CAD design workflow, software development on Windows, and Linux operating systems and real-time operating system environments;
• The following training, knowledge, and experience will be advantageous:
• Computer programming (C, C++, Python, MATLAB, VHDL, etc.) experience;
• Experience with developing concept demonstrators using development boards (i.e., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone, PIC, STM32, Nvidia Jetson, etc);
• Design of optical systems (cameras, spectrometers, interferometers, etc);
• Laboratory and field characterization, testing, and evaluation of optical components and systems;
• An understanding of electro-optical and photonic sensors;
• Control systems design and implementation;
• PCB and schematic design skills, preferably using Altium CAD;
• Understanding and application of project and task scope, risk assessment, cost estimation, timelines and demonstrated ability to plan activities;
• Writing reports and documentation with Microsoft Office Tools;
• Able to conduct field testing and contribute towards physical involvement in projects;
• Ability to adapt easily to ever changing circumstances;
• Ability to work independently and across disciplines to integrate subsystems into complete solutions;
• Ability to work well under pressure and establish good working relationships with both internal and external clients;
• Demonstrated skills in analytical thinking and decision-making, flexibility and adaptability, investigative orientation, planning and organising, problem solving, verbal and written communication, diverse and dynamic team work, self-management (planning, prioritising and time management – includes the ability to work independently), systems level thinking, collaborating, multi-disciplinary knowledge; configuration management.